By Kelly MacConomy
With the announcement that Amazon was locating half of its sister campus in Crystal City and Potomac Yard, imaginations began to soar envisioning a transformed Port City cum Seattle, a waterfront peppered with houseboat dwellers, beatnik/grunge revivalists harking back to the 60’s and 90’s days of yore, and entrepreneurs repping nouveau avant-garde art happenings.
Located in a former Buick car sales showroom at the corner of Prince and Alfred Streets in Old Town is an off the beaten path but totally off-beat gallery space located in the offices of the National Art Education Association. The expansive windows and exposed brick walls with trendy decor and stylish appointments scream SoHo, NoHo – even Boho! The temptation is to bellow…”I’ll take it!!!” You want to move in immediately.
Once inside, the exhibit spotlighting member artist works of all mediums engages to absolute distraction. The exhibit opened October 1st following an impressive summer show of the National Art Honor Society/National Junior Art Honor Society. 1,130 student works were viewed by 12 NAEA member schools for that show with 66 chosen for the exhibit which closed September 21. NAEA received 386 submissions for the current juried exhibit on view at the Gallery at 901 Prince Street. The six juror panelists selected 62 works for display at the Old Town Gallery and 60 for the virtual exhibit online. The exhibit goes until January 4, 2019.
The Association serves 17,000 educator members and 56 student members. Visit the virtual gallery at the NAEA website www.artericstors.org. The Studio and Gallery is generally open 10-3 Monday-Friday. Call 800-299-8621 for an appointment.
Back at the Torpedo Factory, On Exhibit visited with Sermin Ciddi, a more recent member in the third-floor studio spaces. Sermin creates paintings and prints reminiscent of the intricacy and devotion to detail found in the art of her native Turkey as well as Persian, Islamic, Indian and Eastern European traditions. There is a poetic, rhythmic element to Sermin’s brushwork employing an organic, colorful palette with monochromatic, fantastical themes. Sermin herself exudes an exotic Bohemian aura- beauty and talent wrapped around a spiritual essence. Her artwork proves to be a worthy complement to a Chihuly blue or orange flame chandelier. Seattle may just get a run for Amazon’s money!
Sermin is hosting a open house at her gallery December 8 from 2-5p.m. In Studio 331 launching her new series of contemporary miniature works entitled Old Town Alexandria in the Moonlight. Her depiction of Old Town would make a special addition to any Alexandrian art lover’s wishlist. The prints and cards with a whimsical Christmas tree image are must-haves this holiday season. Wine and light refreshments will be served at the launching reception. Come for the party, stay for the art. RSVP [email protected]
